Taking a test drive

Making the most of test drives:   

A ‘round the block’ test drive may not be enough to make a decision about a car, so make sure the test drive is what you expect it to be.  Here are a few things you may wish to do or check on your test drive:

• Getting in and out of a car can be a struggle and often has a big impact on how suitable any given car is to your needs; so try getting in and out several times while in the dealership.
• Take your time and get comfortable, the test drive is for you and for your benefit. 
• Check that the car doors are wide enough for you to get in and out easily, along with any equipment you may have, but that you are still able to reach the door to shut it when seated.
• Check that the doors are not too heavy, making them hard to open and close. 
• If you are selecting a two-door car, make sure you can turn and stretch for the seat belt. It’s a lot further back in two-door cars than in a standard four-door car. 
• Drive on a number of different road types, and try different manoeuvres such as reverse parking to ensure the car’s performance is what you expect and that you are able to see from every angle. 
• Check that you are comfortable doing a hill start in the car. 
• Nominated drivers should also take the car for a test drive, but be careful not to let them over-influence your decision.